She has inevitably been seen as Willie Mullins’ mercurial super-sub in recent times but Vroum Vroum Mag should have the chance to retain her OLBG Mares’ Hurdle crown at Kempton Park next month according to her owner Rich Ricci.
In what has been a frustrating season for the American owner, Ricci will be without star names Annie Power, Faugheen, Min and Getabird at this year’s Festival but still relies on a strong battalion for this year’s Festival, headed by Vroum Vroum Mag.
A narrow winner of a Grade Two at Doncaster last time, justifying prohibitive odds of 1/5, the eight-year-old daughter of Voix Du Nord has proved herself versatile over both fences and hurdles, which included her authoritative two and three-quarter length success at Prestbury Park last year under Ruby Walsh.
Beaten just once under rules for Mullins in the Hatton’s Grace by Apple’s Jade, Vroum Vroum Mag enters this year’s Festival as one of Mullins’ main hopes but questions surrounding what race she will run in at the Festival have been never-ending.
However, following Limini’s impressive victory last week, she could potentially be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle which would cost owner Ricci £20,000, leaving the path open for Vroum Vroum Mag to attempt to retain her Mares’ Hurdle crown. Mullins’ charge is entered in six races at the Festival including the Mares’ Hurdle, the Ryanair, Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Ricci speaking at Kempton on Saturday, said:
Last year I would have said she’d get three miles and that the Stayers’ Hurdle would be an option.
This year she’s just keen in her races so I’m not sure. Over two miles the last day clearly something was amiss. She’s fine now but that wasn’t particularly impressive.
Two and a half-miles to me feels like the trip. But to get two miles at Cheltenham you need to get two and a half so I’m very confused by Vroum Vroum Mag and I imagine the natural race for her would be the mares’ race and we’ll have to take it from there
I think it’s probably highly unlikely unless there’s some disaster that she would go back over fences for the Festival.
Comments.
Loading comments…